Salem, Va. -- University of Lynchburg's men's soccer team scored twice in the first half, and the defense held for a full 90 minutes as the Hornets downed rival Roanoke College, 2-0, on the road Wednesday evening.

Bhayle Kearns and Liam Lovell each netted first-half goals for the Hornets, and goalkeeper Justin Ennis went a perfect 5-for-5 in save opportunities in the Hornets' second shutout of the 2021 season.

Kearns put the Hornets on top in the fifth minute of the match. The fifth-year chased down a beautiful curving ball from fellow forward Brennan Lagana and finished with a diving header past the RC keeper for an early Lynchburg lead.

The Hornets then withstood five Roanoke corner kick opportunities before breaking through again toward the end of the opening stanza. In the 43rd minute, Lovell beat the defense for his second score of the year, an important insurance goal for the Hornets.

Lynchburg managed six more shots in the second half, three of which were saved by Roanoke goalkeeper Zach Behe, but Ennis kept the Maroons off the board with three saves of his own in the final 45 minutes to seal the win.

The victory put a stop to Lynchburg's three-match away losing skid and ended a three-match winless streak (two draws, one loss) with their rivals to the west.

Lynchburg (6-4-1, 2-1 ODAC) will return to Shellenberger Field for a three-match ODAC homestand starting Saturday night at 7 against Ferrum.

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--LYN--